On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN) has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of violence against women globally.
In a statement issued from Ilorin, Prince Abidoye Akeem Olawale highlighted the troubling statistics recently released by the United Nations (UN) and called on citizens to stand up and demand an end to the violence.
The report, published by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and titled Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides, reveals a shocking reality: one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or family member. In 2023 alone, 85,000 women and girls lost their lives to intentional killings, with 60 percent of these deaths—around 51,000—resulting from violence by family members or intimate partners.
The report also sheds light on regional differences in femicide rates, with Africa recording the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings. The Americas and Oceania followed closely behind, while in Europe and the Americas, most domestic killings—64 percent and 58 percent, respectively—were committed by intimate partners. In contrast, family members were more commonly the perpetrators in other regions.
These alarming figures underscore the widespread and persistent nature of femicide, which remains the most extreme form of gender-based violence. The situation demands urgent and coordinated action to address the issue. In response, BAN has called for stronger criminal justice systems to hold perpetrators accountable and better support systems for survivors, including more accessible and transparent reporting mechanisms.
Prince Abidoye Akeem Olawale also stressed the need to confront the root causes of violence, including gender inequality, power imbalances, and harmful cultural practices. He urged governments, communities, and stakeholders to adopt comprehensive strategies that combine prevention, protection, and accountability in order to tackle the issue at its core.
As part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, BAN is joining the global movement to renew commitments and demand immediate action from policymakers. With the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaching in 2025, BAN sees this as a critical opportunity for governments and organizations to allocate more resources to the fight against violence against women and girls.
The group has called on individuals and organizations around the world to amplify their voices through campaigns like #NoExcuse and #16Days, urging concrete actions to create a world where no woman or girl has to live in fear of violence.
